Herb of the week : Rosemary

Rosemary is a Tonic, astringent, diaphoretic, stimulant. Oil of Rosemary has the carminative properties of other volatile oils and is an excellent stomachic and nervine, curing many cases of headache.

Rosemary Wine when taken in small quantities acts as a quieting cordial to a weak heart subject to palpitation, and relieves accompanying dropsy by stimulating the kidneys. It is made by chopping up sprigs of green Rosemary and pouring on them white wine, which is strained off after a few days and is then ready for use. By stimulating the brain and nervous system, it is a good remedy for headaches caused by feeble circulation.

The young tops, leaves and flowers can be made into an infusion, called Rosemary Tea, which, taken warm, is a good remedy for removing headache, colic, colds and nervous diseases, care being taken to prevent the escape of steam during its preparation. It will relieve nervous depression. A conserve, made by beating up the freshly gathered tops with three times their weight of sugar, is said to have the same effect.

A spirit of Rosemary may be used, in doses of 30 drops in water or on sugar, as an antispasmodic.

Rosemary and Coltsfoot leaves are considered good when rubbed together and smoked for asthma and other affections of the throat and lungs.

Rosemary is also one of the ingredients used in the preparation of Eau-de-Cologne.

Botanical Name: Rosmarinus officinalis

Common name: Rosemary

Family: Lamiaceae (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 577)

Parts used: Leaf, twig (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 577)

Constituents:
Volatile oil (Borneol, camphene, camphor, cineole, limonene, linalool)
Flavonoids (apigenin, diosmentin, diosmin, luteolin)
Rosmarinic and other phenolic acid
Diterpenes (including carnosol, carnosolic acid and rosmariquinone)
Rosmaricine
Triterpenes (including ursolic acid and oleanolic acid) (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 577)

Actions
Carminative (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 577; Bone, 2003, p. 389)
Antispasmodic (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 577; Bone, 2003, p. 389; Braun & Cohen, 2005, p. 316)
Antidepressant (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 577)
Rubefacient (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 577)
Antimicrobial (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 577; Bone, 2003, p. 389)
Emmenagogue (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 577)
Hepatoprotective (Bone, 2003, p. 389; Braun & Cohen, 2005, p. 317)
Circulatory Stimulant (Bone, 2003, p. 389)
Antioxidant (Bone, 2003, p. 389; Braun & Cohen, 2005, p. 316)
Anti-inflammatory (Braun & Cohen, 2005, p. 316)

Indications
Increased mental concentration (Braun & Cohen, 2005, p. 317)
Stomach upset accompanied by psychological tension (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 577)
Enhancing detoxification phase I and II of the liver (Bone, 2003, p. 389)
Flatulent dyspepsia (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 577)
Headache or depression associated with debility (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 577; Bone, 2003, p. 389)
Muscular pain (topical) (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 577)
Sciatica (topical) (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 577; Bone, 2003, p. 389)
Neuralgia (topical) (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 577; Bone, 2003, p. 389)
Premature baldness (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 577)
Alopecia (Braun & Cohen, 2005, p. 317)
Gastric headache (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 578)
Atherosclerosis prevention (Bone, 2003, p. 389)
Impaired hepatic and biliary function (Bone, 2003, p. 389)

Preparation & Dosage: Liquid extract (1:2): 2.0-4.5mL/day or 15-30mL/week (Bone, 2003, p. 390)

Cautions: Rosemary should not be taken with meals or iron supplements in individuals with iron deficiency due to the potential interference of iron absorption (Bone, 2003, p. 389)

Combinations
For alopecia: combine with thyme, lavender and cedarwood (Braun & Cohen, 2005, p. 317).
For depression: combine with Skullcap, Kola and Oats (Hoffmann, 1990, p. 229)

Rosemary Correspondences
Planet: Sun

Element: Fire

Feng Shui Element: Wood

Ritual Uses for Rosemary: blessings, water rites/sea rituals, weddings, new moon, remembrance rituals for the dead, transformation, invocation, attract elves and faeries, and meditation

Magickal Keys: good for the “three P’s” of Purification, Protection and Passion

Use rosemary for cleansing, consecration, peace of mind, release and all kinds of psychic, spiritual and even physical purification.

Protection
It is believed to provide good luck, prevents theft, protection, help psychic development, psychic protection, purification, release, prevent nightmares
Passion

Said to bring happiness, love, memory, passion, bless weddings with fidelity, honesty, longevity, wisdom

As an herb, Rosemary is good for indigestion, which is an added benefit when it is used to season food. However, the pure oil can can be harmful to the digestive tract and should not be consumed.

Rosemary Essential Oil

Blends with: Basil, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Lavender, Lemon, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Tea Tree
Scent: Woody, Herbaceous, Powerful
Key Influences: Longevity, Conscious Mind, Love

Rosemary has a well-deserved reputation is that of an all-purpose herb that will help with practically anything. Rosemary Essential Oil is a key ingredient in most hoodoo recipes for the famous Four Thieves Vinegar.